Air operated pickle pump



y 4, 1956 N. B. SANDERSON 2,755,732

AIR OPERATED PICKLE PUMP Filed Jan. 15, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. NORVAL B. SANDERSON ATTQRNEY July 24, 1956 N. a. SANDERSON 2,755,732

AIR OPERATED PICKLE PUMP Filed Jan. 15, 1953 2 sheets-sheet '2 FIG. 4 FIG. 5

I I 94 I H UK/U I FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

NORVAL B. SANDERSON wy ATTORN United States Patent AIR OPERATED PICKLE PUIVIP Norval B. Sanderson, St. Joseph, Mo., assiguor to Swift & Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application January 15, 1953, Serial No. 331,369 7 Claims. (Cl. 99257) The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in the injection of a pickling solution or the like into a cut of meat such as, for example, a green ham or a pork side to be processed into bacon.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a piece of apparatus to simplify the task of the individuals who perform the operation of injecting the pickle into such a meat cut, and to lessen the operator fatigue involved in such operations.

A further advantage of the invention is that the time involved in performing the pickling operation is reduced, thereby reducing the cost of producing such products.

An additional object is to provide a device that is easily cleaned, is simple to operate, and one that is sufliciently sturdy to withstand day in and day out operations without excessive maintenance being required.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of the embodiment of the machine;

Figure Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the pump and control structure of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a schematic drawing of the control and actuating mechanism for the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5.

Referring first to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 through 3, the apparatus includes a frame, generally 20, having a meat cut supporting plate, generally 21, rotatably mounted thereon. The pickling solution is injected into the meat cut through a perforated needle, generally 22, to which the pickle is supplied by a supply means, generally 23, controlled by a valve, generally 24. A valve actuating means, generally 25, is used to position the valve to control a supply of pickle as desired.

The frame is made up of a plurality of legs 27 to the top of which is secured a pan 28 to catch any escaping pickle solution and drain it out through a pipe 29. A vertical pivotal member 30 is attached in the top center of pan 23 and supports the meat cut supporting plate 21.

Pickle supply means 23 includes an air operated piston 32 working in a cylinder 33. Adjacent one end of cylinder 33, a pipe 34 communicates with a 4-way valve, generally 24. At the other end of cylinder 33, a pipe 36 communicates with the 4-Way valve 24 through a check valve 37 and a second pipe 38. Adjacent the same end of the cylinder 33, a second pipe 39 likewise communicates with pipe 38 through a check valve 40.

The rod 42 carrying piston 32 passes through a packing gland 43 and is secured to a second piston 44, mounted within a pumping cylinder 45. Pickling solution from a suitable source of supply is fed to pump cylinder 45 2 is a front elevation of the embodiment of through a pipe 47, in which is a check valve 48. The pickling solution from the pump is directed to needle 22 through a pipe 49, within which is a check valve 50, which pipe communicates with a rubber hose 51.

The length of the stroke of piston 44 is determined by the position of bolt 54, threaded into the end of cylinder 45. Bolt 54 has a T-shaped handle 55 and is held in place by a pair of lock nuts 56.

Valve stem 58 controls the position of the 4-way valve 24. Air under pressure is supplied to the 4-way valve 24 through a pipe 59 from an air compressor, not shown. When valve stem 58 is extended, the valve is positioned so as to supply air under pressure from pipe 59 to pipe 34, thereby pulling piston 44 out of pump cylinder 45 to draw pickle from pipe 47 into the cylinder. When valve stem 38 is lowered (Figures 1 and 2), air from the air compressor or other suitable source, is supplied through the 4-way valve to pipe 38. The compressed air in pipe 38 is fed into the left end (Figure 3) of cylinder 33, first through pipe 36 and subsequently through pipe 39 to push pistons 32 and 44 to the right to pump the pickle from cylinder 45 out the needle 22 through the holes therein.

The valve actuating means includes a cross bar 63, extending along the front of plate 21 at an elevation just slightly below that of the plate. The ends of bar 63 are attached to a pair of straps, 64 and 65, pivotally connected to arms 66 and 67 by means of pins 68 and 69, respectively. Arms 66 and 67 are fastened to frame 20.

The lower ends of straps 64 and 65 extend beyond pins 68 and 69 and are attached to each other by a second cross bar 71. Between the ends of bar 71 is secured one end of an L-shaped rod 72. The other end of rod 72 is attached by means of a pin 73 to a U-shaped member 74, mounted on the end of valve stem 58. An outwardly extending finger 76 on rod 72 is connected by means of a spring 77 to frame 20 to resiliently urge the valve stem 58 and the valve actuating means 25 into a position such that the air pressure from pipe 59 is applied to cylinder 33 through pipe 34 to hold the pump piston 44 in the position in which pickle is not supplied to needle 22.

Needle 22 is mounted on one end of a hollow L-shaped handle 80. The opening within the other end of handle 80 communicates with hose 51 which is slipped over that end of the handle. To relieve the operator from the necessity for supporting the weight of the needle 22 and the parts attached thereto, a chain 81 and a spring 82 support these members from an. overhead frame, such as beam 83.

Attached to handle 80 and extending downwardly from the portion of the handle to which the needle 22 is secured, is a contact member 85.

The meat cut in which the pickle is to be injected is placed upon plate 21 by the operator, who then inserts needle 22 into the cut by pushing against handle 80. After the needle has penetrated the cut, contact member 85 strikes cross bar 63, whereupon further movement of the needle into the cut rotates bar 63 about its mounting to lower the connecting linkage with valve stem 58 and, change the position of the valve. In the changed valve position air pressure is applied to the left hand end of cylinder 33, as shown in Figure 3, while at the same time the air in the right end of cylinder 33 is exhausted to the atmosphere through the 4-Way valve. This pressure pushes the two pistons to the right in Figure 3, driving pickle from cylinder 45 into the meat cut through the needle. The quantity of pickle injected is controlled by.

air trapped between piston 32 and check valves 37 and 40 serves to cushion the return movement of the piston. The return movement of the piston draws pickle into cylinder tram pipe 47. a

To inject pickle into the c'ither side of the an, plate 21 is 'rdt'af'ed approximately 180 degrees. A stop 86 is pivotally secured to the pan 28 an is resilien'tiy 'ur'g'ed reward the rearward sdg'e er the an by seams er a spring 87-. V Ancients 21 has rotated approximates 180 degrees, it strikes stats '86 to depress the arse within the pair. Coht inued rota tion of the plate 21 frees the stop to snap in an upright pd's'itidn, assesses it holds the aga-mt reverse reason when the needle 22 is pres dinre me a-Eraser. s the alternative eassdiaefit, illustrated in Figures 4 through agate mechanical liilk'agfe for actuating "4-way {are zit s replaced by eiijieetrieai mm, gerreran 90.

I" this case valve stem 58 has an e'xteaaiag iinge'r 91 s ejcu thereto, which finger in turn attached to an a anem a 92-. Aligned with armature rod 92 are a sa t; o' f solenoids '93 and 94. A sirrgte 'oie, double-throw, switch :95 is used to alterha'tively connect the two 'sol'ehoids a suitable source of electrical supply through wires'9 6 and 197 The pickle supply means for the needle 9 b t the alternative form is the same as that previously described with the embodiment of Figures 1 through 3.

lre embodiment of Figures '4, 5, and '6 includes a friiine, generally 1.00 on the top ofpwhich is mounted ear; of tracks I61. Wheels 162, forming a part er a carriage, generally Hi3; run in tracks 1'01. Carriage 103 has a s upport ing plate 10 pivotally mounted thereon by i i a i 05- Needl'e 9 is attached to an arm1'07, one end of which is 's ecjulred to a rack 108 which slides in aguid'e 109. A gear 11a and a hand wheel 111 are attached to a shaft 112 rnal ed in fran e T06. Gear engages rack 108 vd rti the iree'clle 99 may "be moved and news 'by ii i..vt s 1 W iv'i c'h 95, which in t e illustrated embodiment takes the form of a micros witch, is attached to frame 100 'in a senses for the operating lever 11's of the switch to e contacted by a spring 116 extending outwardly from carriage 103. i H n is enfbodirne'nt the them an 118, into 'which the 4 s 'bejinjected, is placed on state 104. Hand is adjusted to position needle 99 to enter the desired portion of the "dep't'h'ot the cut, and earria'ge 103 is irqus iied by the operator towards needle 99 so that the iieedle pierces {he an. After arejieea e has pierced {tie ht, spring 116 actuates "switch 95 to close 'tlie'c'ircuit through sdlenoid 9 1 and position valve 24 so as to pump the pickling solution into the cut, as previously described. "carriage 103 is drawn away from switch 95, the mechanism of theswitch changes contact thereof to the originai position as illustrated fin Figure '6, energizing ss e sia 9 3 and reversing the position of 'valve 24.

The foreoilig description of specific embodiments is for the pitrpos'e'of complying with 35 U. C. 112, and should notib e construed as imposing unnecessary litnitation'sijn eappended claims. Nurrie rous variations will be apparent to those skilled in th ear't, and such variations are deemed to be within the scope or the invention to the eiiteiit t h at tiiey are covered by the claims.

Tdnpkample, in many instances the various cuts of iiieat 113 will be sufiicieritiy alike 5 that there is he necessity ro'r raising and lowering needle 99 in tlie etnf bicid nientoffigure 4. I n'stich a case the cross piece 1 97ciin be permanently -aififiid within g uide andjthe ti'ii neee r'y parts used torae and loiverthe needle may lie ldisipensedwith. I, p U I W in a "Emitter 6r "instances it Will 'b enot ecl that one of are re a s, P ts w l sb w t s i t 1 3 1 9 h achieve certain operations. It will be apparent to -those skilled in t liefa r'ttiiat the 'o tli'er'b'f tlie'tw'o related parts tidiild bie'iitbVeil to achieve the sa fiie' efiect. A11 eia mpie 7 4 of this second type of variation is shown by a comparison oi the embodiment of Figure l, and the embodiment of Figure 4. In the former the needle 22 is moved with respect to the supporting plate 21 to insert the needle into the meat cut. In the second embodiment the supporting plate 104 is moved with respect to needle 99 to achieve the same end.

h l. A device for injecting pickle into a cut of meat or the ine at 'cnt asserting member, a pickle injection nee-ate steamer, one of said members being mounted for movement along a line toward and away from the other to insert the needle member into and remove it fi'ofn "are but on said stipporting member, a first of the members being movable in a direction generally normal to said line with respect to the second of the m embers whereby the point of insertion of the needle into the cu't of meat may be -"controlled, pickle supply n'leaiis c'oniiecte'd 'to said fne'edle member, said pickle shpply in'e ans iir cliid ing a valve to ifbtittol the 'flo'iv of pickle to said needle men'fber, and acttlati'n'gir'iea'ns fer 'said valve p 'isitioiied to ihtercep't said one member to gayse -is piekle is as what said one member has been moved t rd "the atria to insert the needle into the cut.

2'. A device for injecting pickle into 'a cut or meat or the like comprising "a meat cu't supporting member, meaus f or supporting isiidfr'nerhber, a pickle injection e member A cans for stippcirting said needle, a first *rifean's being asvame relative to the other in a h ilyfholiiaonta'l c'iirection from a first to a second post gn 'wliereby said needle may be inserted into acut resting o'n said se poaia member and to be removed therefrom menses first means isfrnoved to said first EO s itiQ iI, a; least 115 or s "members being movable In a generally vertical direction whereby the point of insertion ot the needle into the cut m y be controlled, pickie safety seats cdifnect ed to said needle member and including a valve to control the flow of pickle is said needle member, actuating means torsaid valve and mo'untcdon one of said supporting means, and a contactmeiiiber iiiountd {tie 'tith er'oi said supporting means 'andfcooperating withsaid actuating areas-s to cause "said p'ickle to flow when first "supporting means 'is moved to the second position y 3. A saves for injecting pickle trim a cut of theater the like comprising a meat cut supporting member, means for supporting "said member, 'said 'i'he'mber being rotatably inoifntd onsztiii ifie an's, a pickle injection 'needle member, means for supporting said needle member, a first of said nieans b'ejing mo aberaaave to the other ina g'eneraliy titiriz'oirtiljdfreetjidh from a fi'fs'ttoa seeded positidn'iv ereb y s'aid :rieedle rnem be'r inay be inserted into 'a c'iit jrestinigpn said supporting ineinb'er, and to be retii erefroin when -said firs't means is moved to said first oh, at least one of said members being -ir'tc'ivable in a "generally vertical direction, pick-1e supply means connected tb 'said needle j r'ne'mber and including a valve to control the new of pi'c klie to said needle, actuating iiieiatis for said valve iitotinted on one (if said supporting means, and a contact member ndented on 'the other of said s'iipfiiifting mefaiis'iind cooperating withsaid actuating nfeatiS to cause said fpii c'kle to new when said first supporting "is iiibved to the "second passion.

4. A device for use "injecting pickle iii-to a cut of meat or t e like comprising a pickle injection needle,-

s'a id ne dle having a contact member extending outwardly therefrom, pickl es iipply means connected to said needle, said pickle sasiit "means including 'a valve to control the flow erf-pickle th s-aid needle, a frame having a generally lioriioiital sii'rfzic'e theme to sii p'dr't the cu t, actuating means for said valve mounted as 'said n'a'me, said actuatiiig i'nie'an s j ii'ic'l'tidhr g Fa control in'iribe'r mounted in from of s aiii surface "and at'a'btiujt the same elevation as that (if "said ifiih'tact member when said needle is inserted iiito a iiiit "ies'tiifg on said surface, said actuating means being movable from a first position spaced from said surface at which position the valve is set for flow of pickle to be stopped to a second position closer to said surface at which position the valve is set for said picklle to be flowing, and resilient means urging said actuating means into said first position.

5. A device for use in injecting pickle into a cut of meat or the like comprising a pickle injection needle, said needle having a contact member extending outwardly therefrom, pickle supply means connected to said needle, said pickle supply means including a valve to control the flow of pickle to said needle, a frame having a generally horizontal surface thereon to support the cut, an operating bar extending across the front of said surface at about the same elevation as that of said contact member when said needle is inserted into a cut resting .on said surface, said operating bar being pivotally mounted on said frame, rod means connecting said bar and said valve to position the valve to stop the flow of pickle when said bar is pivotally positioned away from said surface and to reposition the valve to cause said pickle to flow when said bar is pivoted closer to said surface, and resilient means urging said bar into said first mentioned position.

6. A device for use in injecting pickle into a cut of meat or the like comprising a pickle injection needle, said needle having a contact member extending outwardly therefrom, pickle supply means connected to said needle, said pickle supply means including a valve to control the flow of pickle to said needle, a meat cut supporting plate pivotally mounted on said frame in a generally horizontal position, an operating bar extending across the front of said plate at about the same elevation as that of said contact member when said needle is inserted into a cut resting on said plate, said operating bar being pivotally mounted on said frame, rod means connecting said bar and said valve to position the valve to stop the flow of pickle when said bar is pivotally positioned away from said plate and to reposition the valve to cause said pickle to flow when said bar is pivoted closer to said plate, and resilient means urging said bar in first mentioned position.

7. An apparatus for use in injecting pickie into a cut of meat or the like comprising a pickle injection needle member, pickle supply means connected to said needle, said pickle supply means including a valve to control the flow of pickle to said needle member, a frame having a generally horizontal surface member thereon to support the cut, one of said members being movable in a generally horizontal direction with respect to the other of said members, solenoid means to control the position of said valve, a switch device electrically connected to said solenoid means to control the position of the valve in response to the position of the switch, and a control device to actuate said switch, one of said devices being mounted on said one member for movement therewith along a path, the other of said devices being positioned in the path of movement of said one device.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,108,755 Hiller Aug. 25, 1914 1,836,533 I-I-asbrouch et at Dec. 15, 1931 2,466,772 Kenyon Apr. 12, 1949 2,645,171 Moreland July 14, 1953 

1. A DEVICE FOR INJECTING PICKLE INTO A CUT OF MEAT OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A MEAT CUT SUPPORTING MEMBER, A PICKLE INJECTION NEEDLE MEMBER, ONE OF SAID MEMBERS BEING MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT ALONG A LINE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE OTHER TO INSERT THE NEEDLE MEMBER INTO AND REMOVE IT FROM THE CUT ON SAID SUPPORTING MEMBERS, A FIRST OF THE MEMBERS BEING MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION GENERALLY NORMAL TO SAID LINE WITH RESPECT TO THE SECOND OF THE MEMBERS WHEREBY THE POINT OF INSERTION OF THE NEEDLE INTO THE CUT OF MEAT MAY BE CONTROLLED, PICKLE SUPPLY MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID NEEDLE MEMBER, SAID PICKLE SUPPLY MEANS INCLUDING A VALVE TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF PICKLE TO SAID NEEDLE MEMBER, AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID VALVE POSITIONED TO INTERCEPT SAID ONE MEMBER TO CAUSE THE PICKLE TO FLOW WHEN SAID ONE MEMBER HAS BEEN MOVED TOWARD THE OTHER TO INSERT THE NEEDLE INTO THE CUT. 